Peter C. Bird

Peter Carrol Bird was born January 21, 1841 in Romulus, Michigan. When the 24th Michigan was organized, Peter Bird was a 21 year old farmer, and still resided in Romulus. He enlisted on August 12, 1862 and was mustered on August 13, 1864.

His brother Robert C. Bird had already enlisted in company D a few days previously. A third brother, William was in the Army Engineers. William died of fever in Chattanooga, on January 28, 1865.

Peter was wounded in the thigh at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. According to the family history, he lay on the field, possibly for four days, until he was carried off under cover of night by his brother, Robert.

A Michigan civilian who happened to be visiting the field shortly after the battle wrote:
GETTYSBURG July 12, 1863 We find ourselves amid scenes only seen near a battlefield. ... We were shocked by the sight of Peter C. Bird, late Wayne County Deputy Register of Deeds, lying in a feed store, shot through the thigh but happy in the thought of restoration to friends. Alas, the doctors say he is doomed."

Peter did eventually recover, although reportedly his leg never healed properly. Family history indicates that he walked with a limp for the rest of his life. Peter was first treated at a temporary field hospital; he was later transferred to more permanent facilities, at York, Pennsylvania, and then later at Detroit Michigan (probably Harper Hospital). While recuperating at the Detroit facility, he served as hospital clerk, and reportedly attended business college. He was sent home on a 30 day furlough in October, 1864. It was probably during this furlough that he married Mary Jane Morris. Note that in their wedding photograph (shown above), Peter is wearing his uniform.

Peter never returned to the 24th. According to a letter he wrote to the Adjutant General of Michigan on June, 25, 1906, he was assigned to detached duty from June to October 1865 in the offices of Col. J. R. Smith, U. S. A, Commissioner of Musters at Detroit, Michigan. Peter C. Bird may thus have been one of the last members of the 24th to muster out of service.

After the war he was the first keeper of the Eagle Harbor Light on the Keweenaw peninsula, a post which he held until 1877. While there he also taught school and clerked in a store during the winter to earn extra income. He also served as Justice of the Peace for a time. His family grew quickly; there were 9 children all together.

Returning to Romulus, Peter purchased a 160 acre farm at Grant and Wayne Roads. He was township supervisor 7 times. Later he went into the insurance business representing Northwestern Life Insurance Company, and was said to have made a substantial fortune. He also served for ten years as the Deputy Register of Deeds for Wayne County.

He built a fine brick home on a sand hill in 1878. The building still stands, despite being on the periphery of Detroit Metro Airport. Later in life, Peter C. Bird founded private banks in Romulus (1903) and New Boston (1907). Another source indicates that he was involved in the manufacture of "essential oils".

Peter returned to Gettysburg at least once, where he and his brother met the artist Philippoteaux. Because of this meeting, the two brothers were painted into a one of the scenes in the Cyclorama. The scene is not historical, however -- neither the Bird brothers nor the 24th Michigan played any part in Pickett's Charge. Peter was a founding member of the Reuben Cory Post No. 261 in Wayne Michigan.

Peter passed on to the final muster on October 10, 1910 at the age of 69. He is buried in the Romulus, Michigan cemetery.

Portions of his war-time correspondence were reprinted in Curtis. The Wayne Historical Museum has preserved his 1862-1863 diary.

Descendants:

Anne Midwinter MidwinterA@pnorth.mqm.govt.nz

Larry Morris lmorris@livingonline.com

Tom Morris tmorris@historical.org

Wedding photograph courtesy of the Wayne Historical Museum.
Tombstone photograph courtesy of Larry Morris